Team news: Sheffield United are boosted by the return from suspension of midfielders Michael Doyle and Ryan Flynn. Flynn is expected to bring steel to the midfield, partnering Kevin McDonald in the centre.

Team news: Midfielder Andre Boucaud serves the final game of a three-match ban while the Magpies are also sweating on the fitness of left-back Alan Sheehan, who has missed the last three games with a hamstring complaint. Jamal Campbell-Ryce is in contention to the start the game but veteran striker Lee Hughes and Enoch Showunmi are likely to be on the bench again, given the form of Yoann Arquin and Francois Zoko.

One to watch: Dave Kitson. The striker has played in the Premier League but only joined Sheffield United from crisis-hit Portsmouth on the last day of August. In 2008 Stoke paid Reading £5.5m or his services and the 32-year-old made his first start for the Blades in midweek and while catching up on match fitness, is always a threat when on the pitch, especially at this level.